What Are FFA Leadership Development Events?
Leadership Development Events (LDEs) are Texas FFA's fall contests in public speaking, parliamentary procedure, agricultural knowledge, broadcasting, public relations and job-seeking skills. They are built to reinforce what students learn in agricultural science classes, and they are some of the most heavily entered contests in Texas FFA.
Texas FFA runs LDEs tournament style. Every event has elimination rounds at the district and area levels before the state contest. Chapters enter teams and individuals through their agricultural science teacher, and Greenhand events are reserved for first-year members.
The Road to State
- District LDEsEach Texas FFA district holds its own contest in the fall. Top finishers in each event qualify for their area contest.
- Area LDEsEach of the 12 Texas FFA areas holds an area contest later in the fall. Under Texas FFA General Rule 9, each area sends two teams in each event to state.
- State LDEsThe 2026 Texas FFA State LDEs are scheduled for December 4-5, 2026, at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.
The 13 LDE Events
Texas FFA's 2022-2026 LDE rules list 13 events. Districts and areas schedule them in rotations through the contest day.
| Event | Entry | What competitors do |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Advocacy | Team of 3-5 from one chapter | Research an agricultural issue and present how they would advocate for it, then take questions from judges. |
| Agricultural Issues Forum | Team of 3-7 | Research a current agricultural issue, present the different sides of it in a forum format, and answer judges' questions. |
| Agricultural Skill Demonstration | Team of 3-5; Greenhand and Senior divisions | Demonstrate a practical agricultural skill step by step. Exempt from the official dress rule. |
| Senior FFA Quiz | Team of 3-4 | Written test on agriculture and FFA knowledge, scored as a team. |
| Greenhand FFA Quiz | Team of 3-4; Greenhand only | Written test for first-year members on FFA history, structure and agriculture. |
| Chapter Conducting | Team of 7-10; Greenhand and Senior divisions | Run a model chapter meeting using opening and closing ceremonies and parliamentary procedure. |
| Greenhand Creed Speaking | Individual; Greenhand only | Recite the FFA Creed from memory and answer judges' questions about it. |
| Senior Creed Speaking | Individual | Recite the FFA Creed from memory and answer judges' questions about it. |
| Greenhand Spanish Creed Speaking | Individual; Greenhand only | Recite the FFA Creed in Spanish and answer questions about its meaning. |
| Senior Spanish Creed Speaking | Individual | Recite the FFA Creed in Spanish and answer questions about its meaning. |
| FFA Broadcasting | Team | Write and deliver an agriculture-focused news broadcast. |
| Public Relations | Team | Present a program that promotes agriculture or the chapter to the public. |
| Job Interview | Individual | Prepare application materials and complete a job interview with judges. |
For creed speaking and job interview, the individual qualifies to advance, not the chapter. Full event rules, score sheets and time limits are in the official Texas FFA LDE Rules.
Competitor Checklist
- Official FFA dress. Texas FFA LDE rules require official FFA dress under the Texas FFA Official Dress Standards, which allow black dress boots. The FFA bowtie is not acceptable. Agricultural Skill Demonstration teams are exempt.
- Know your rotation. Get your event's check-in time and room from your advisor before the bus leaves.
- Bring what your event requires. Demonstration equipment, printed application materials for Job Interview and any statement-of-originality forms required by the rules.
- Plan for a full day. Several events run in rounds. Pack water and a snack, and keep phones silent in contest rooms.
- Read the current rules. Time limits and scoring change between rule cycles. Practice to the 2022-2026 rule book, not an older copy.
For Parents and Spectators
LDEs are school-day contests run by agriculture teachers, volunteer judges and district or area officers. If you plan to watch:
- Check in at the host campus office or the posted check-in point when you arrive.
- Enter and leave contest rooms only between competitors, never during a speech or a team presentation.
- Results are released by the district or area. Ask your chapter advisor how and when they will be announced.
- If your student advances, the next stop is the area contest, then the State LDEs in Huntsville in early December.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FFA LDE?
LDE stands for Leadership Development Event. Texas FFA LDEs are team and individual contests in public speaking, parliamentary procedure, agricultural knowledge, communication and career skills. They run tournament style: district first, then area, then state.
Who can compete?
FFA members entered by their chapter's agricultural science teacher. Greenhand events are for first-year members.
How many teams advance?
Top finishers at district qualify for their area contest. Under Texas FFA General Rule 9, each area sends two teams in each event to state. Confirm the number of district qualifiers per event with your advisor.
When are the 2026 State LDEs?
December 4-5, 2026, at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.
Official Resources
- Texas FFA - Leadership Development Events: event list and State LDE dates
- Texas FFA LDE Rules 2022-2026 (PDF): full rules, team sizes and score cards
- Texas FFA Association: state calendar and news
Texas Listings Covered by This Guide
- Area XI Gulf Coast District FFA LDEs
District-level Texas FFA Leadership Development Events for Gulf Coast District chapters of Area XI, held at Edna High School. Top finishers advance to the Area XI LDEs and on toward the State LDEs.
- Area VI Longview LDE Contest
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VI Longview LDE Contest, scheduled November 12, 2026 at Panola College, Carthage, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area III Northwest District LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area III Northwest District LDEs, scheduled November 12, 2026 at Berry Center Northwest Houston, Cypress, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area III North District Skills & Job Interview LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area III North District Skills & Job Interview LDEs, scheduled November 12, 2026 at Lonestar-Tomball, Tomball HS, Tomball, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area VI Mineola District LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VI Mineola District LDEs, scheduled November 13, 2026 at Alba-Golden HS, Alba, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area III North District Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area III North District Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 13, 2026 at Lone Star Tomball, Tomball, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area XI Bluebonnet LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area XI Bluebonnet LDEs, scheduled November 13, 2026 at Blinn College - Brenham, Brenham, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area XII Star District LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area XII Star District LDEs, scheduled November 13, 2026 at Lexington, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area II Big Bend LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Big Bend LDEs, scheduled November 16, 2026 at Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area VII Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VII Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 16, 2026 at Uvalde Jr. College, Uvalde, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area II Double Mountain LDE Contests
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Double Mountain LDE Contests, scheduled November 17, 2026 at Anson High School, Anson, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area V Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area V Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 17, 2026 at East Texas A&M University, Commerce, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area III Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area III Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 18, 2026 at Berry Center of Northwest Houston, Cypress, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area VI LDE Contest
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VI LDE Contest, scheduled November 19, 2026 at East Texas A&M University, Commerce, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area I LDE Contests
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area I LDE Contests, scheduled November 20, 2026 at West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area XII Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area XII Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 20, 2026 at Academy, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area II Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 21, 2026 at Howard College, Big Spring, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area IV Leadership Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area IV Leadership Development Events, scheduled November 25, 2026 at Wylie High School, Abilene, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- State LDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for State LDEs, scheduled December 4, 2026 to December 5, 2026 at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Chisholm Trail District FFA Leadership Development Events
District FFA leadership contest held at Cleburne High School on Nov 12, 2025, with thirteen teams competing and winners advancing to the Area VIII contest at Waxahachie. Assumed annual; next date not verified.
- Hoggie LDE Invitational
FFA leadership development invitational for 24 South Texas high schools on Oct 16, 2025, hosted by the Kleberg College of Agriculture and TAMUK Collegiate FFA. Latest verified date; the 2026 edition is not confirmed, assumed annual.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.